Toe nail polish guard

ABSTRACT

The present device generally relates to a toe nail polish guard and more particularly, the device relates to a toe nail polish guard for assisting a user after receiving a pedicure. The device acts as a removable portion of an article of footwear which attaches to the front of the footwear. A series of toe dividers separates the toes and protects them from contacting each other. The device is secured to the footwear by a securing mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/212,729 filed Apr. 15, 2009 the same being incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present device generally relates to a toe nail polish guard and moreparticularly, the device relates to a toe nail polish guard forassisting a user after receiving a pedicure. The device acts as aremovable portion of an article of footwear which attaches to the frontof the footwear. A series of toe dividers separates the toes andprotects them from contacting each other. The device is secured to thefootwear by a securing mechanism.

The average adult takes a staggering eight to ten thousand steps a day.Adding up to over one hundred thousand miles in the course of alifetime, feet can carry a person just about anywhere they want to go.Unfortunately, most people tend to take their feet for granted. Whetherby wearing impossibly tall heals, oxfords with little cushioning orshoes that do not fit properly most put their feet through endless abuseand then complain when they are tired, aching or sore.

Luckily, millions of Americans routinely treat their feet to a littlepampering in the form of a pedicure. A pedicure involves soaking thefeet in a warm bath to soften the skin, a gentle massage, removal ofdead skin around the foot and a neat trim of the toenails and cuticlearea. For woman, this is then usually followed up with a few coats ofnail polish. Although typically thought of as cosmetic indulgence, apedicure is a healthy part of routine foot care because it can preventthe buildup of calluses and dry skin.

Additionally, as most pedicures involve grooming the toenails, thisrelaxing treatment can also effectively reduce the painful problems ofingrown nails.

As mentioned, for female consumers, a pedicure typically involves theapplication of polish to the toes. Whether one prefers pale pink polishor bright red toenails, polishing the toe allows a female to showcaseher feet when wearing sandals or other open toe shoes. Simply stated,most fashion conscious females would not be caught dead sporting “nakedtoes.” As such, caring for toe nail polish is crucial. Unfortunately,simply by donning a pair of shoes before the nails have thoroughly driedcan mar perfectly applied toe nail polish, resulting in a pristinepedicure become smeared, streaked, and otherwise ruined. Perhaps that iswhy so many people improvise; walking haphazardly on their heels,shoving rolled tissue between their toes or simply sitting strandeduntil their nails are completely dry. As can be imagined, all of these“solutions” can be awkward at best, with one ending up with dirty feet,lint between their toes, or a wasted afternoon spent waiting for thesticky, tacky nail polish to become dry and hardened.

Some inventions have been created in an attempt to correct theseproblems. U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,880 to Zinkovich discloses an apparatuswhich utilizes a corrective aid for separating overlapping or crookedtoes, and as a pedicure aid to keep toes separated during pedicures,polish or medicine applications, etc. The apparatus can be worn eitherinteriorly of an appropriate shoe or slipper, or as a separate articleof footwear such as a scuff or sandal, and includes a sole portion,padding attached to the underside of the sole portion, and slits formedin the toe region of the sole portion to provide pockets for positiveretention of as many toe separator elements as needed.

U.S. Pat. No. D415,858 to Funatogawa discloses an ornamental design fora toe stretcher. U.S. Pat. No.: D420,785 to Perez discloses anornamental design for a pedicure slipper. U.S. Pat. No.: D439,704 toIkeda discloses an ornamental design for a toe opener.

However, these patents fail to provide a toe nail polish guard which issuitable for use in an easy and convenient manner. More specifically,the previous toe nail polish guards fail to provide a reliable mechanismfor protecting newly polished toe nails. A need therefore exists for anew toe nail polish guard which incorporates the features of the presenttoe nail polish guard. Further, a need exists for a toe nail polishguard which may be easily used and provides protection to the userduring normal daily activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device generally relates to a toe nail polish guard and moreparticularly, the device relates to a toe nail polish guard forassisting a user after receiving a pedicure. The device acts as aremovable portion of an article of footwear which attaches to the frontof the footwear. A series of toe dividers separates the toes andprotects them from contacting each other. The device is secured to thefootwear by a securing mechanism.

An advantage of the toe nail polish guard is to provide a guard whichprotects the look and strength of toe nails after polish has beenapplied.

Yet another advantage of the toe nail polish guard is to provide a toenail polish guard which allows a user to alternate between an open toeor a closed toe sandal.

And another advantage of the toe nail polish guard is to provide adevice which separates the toes after a pedicure.

Another advantage of the toe nail polish guard is to provide a devicewhich provides a corrective guide to position the toes of a person in aproper orientation.

And another advantage of the toe nail polish guard is to provide a guardwhich is light weight and easy to produce.

Still another advantage of the toe nail polish guard is to provide adevice which allows a user to walk comfortably in sandals afterreceiving a pedicure.

For a more complete understanding of the above listed features andadvantages of the toe nail polish guard, reference should be made to thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments and to theaccompanying drawings. Further, additional features and advantages ofthe present toe nail polish guard are described in, and will be apparentfrom, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and from thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of the toe nail polish guard.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the device being placed over a sandal.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the device having a securing mechanismto secure to an article of footwear.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the sandal wherein the device issecured onto the sandal.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the sandal

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of the sandal.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the device wherein the device istear-shaped.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of device wherein the toe dividersare tear-shaped and a divider is part of the strap.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the dividers of the sandal.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the devicesecured onto a sandal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present device generally relates to a toe nail polish guard and moreparticularly, the device relates to a toe nail polish guard forassisting a user after receiving a pedicure. The device acts as aremovable portion of an article of footwear which attaches to the frontof the footwear. A series of toe dividers separates the toes andprotects them from contacting each other. The device is secured to thefootwear by a securing mechanism.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present device 1 is a toe nail polishguard for assisting a user following, for example, a pedicure. Similarin appearance to a thong style sandal, the article of footwear of thepresent device 1 is comprised of a cushiony foam rubber molded insoleand sole, on top of which a single or series of rubber toe dividerswould be integrally attached.

The device 1 may have a top side 2, a bottom side 3, a front 4, a back5, a first side 6 and a second side 7. In addition, the device 1 mayhave an exterior surface 146 (see FIG. 9) facing away from the toes andan interior surface 147 (see FIG. 9) facing the toes. The device 1 maylargely take the shape of, for example, a quarter of a circle (ortear-shaped as described below) which fits on the front end of a sandal40. The device 1 may have different shapes, as will be described belowin the description and in the accompanying drawings.

The device 1 is suitable for attachment on a sandal 40. The sandal 40may have a front side 41, a back side 42, a top side 43, a bottom side44 (FIG. 6), a first side 45 and a second side 46. While in use, thetoes of a person may be located at the front side 41 of the sandal 40. Astrap 25 may extend from the first side 45 to the second side 46 of thesandal 40. The trap may take alternative forms, as described below. Thestrap 25 may help secure the foot of the user into the sandal 40 duringuse. In an embodiment, a second and or third strap (not shown) may belocated near the heal of the foot to further secure the foot of the userwithin the sandal 40 during use. A series of dividers 50 may be locatednear the front side 41 of the sandal 40. Generally, four dividers 50 areprovided to separate the five toes of a typical person. The dividers 50may have a width 51 which may extend the normal distance between thetoes so that the toes do not contact each other during use of the sandal40. The dividers 50 may have a length 83 which may be substantiallysimilar to the length of the toes it separates. As a result, the typicaldividers 50 range from a half inch to two inches in length 83. In anembodiment, the dividers 50 may be tear-shaped, as discussed below.

The dividers 50 may further have a height 86 (FIG. 9). In an embodiment,the height 86 of the dividers 50 may be generally greater than theheight of the toes so that the device 1 does not come into directcontact with the toes while in use. More specifically, in an embodiment,the dividers 50 may have a height 86 great enough so that the top 87 ofthe dividers 50 may come into direct contact with, and support, theinterior surface 147 of the device 1. As a result, in an embodiment, thedevice 1 may be vertically supported by the dividers 50. Further, in anembodiment, the interior surface 147 (FIG. 9) of the device 1 may have aplurality of receiving indentations 148 for receiving and securing theplurality of dividers 50. More specifically, the receiving indentations148 may receive the top 87 of the dividers 50 of the sandal 40 therebyproviding greater support to the article of footwear. In an alternativeembodiment, the height 86 of the dividers 50 may be less than the heightof the toes (see FIG. 4 and the description below).

The bottom side 44 of the sandal 40 may have a sole 60. The sole 60 maybe made from, for example, rubber, plastic or leather. The sole 60 mayprotect the sandal 40 from wear and tear and may have a tread to helpthe user obtain traction and reduce the chances of slipping. Thethickness of the sole 60 of the sandal 40 may be larger at the back side42 than at the front side 41 (see FIG. 5). As a result, the user mayhave more support on the heal of the foot. In addition, the larger sole60 at the back side 42 of the sandal 40 may slightly elevate the userand allow them to appear taller.

The strap 25 of the sandal 40 may have a first end 80 and a second end81. The first end 80 of the strap 25 of the sandal 40 may be permanentlysecured to the first side 45 of the sandal 40 and the second end 81 ofthe strap 25 may be permanently secured to the second side 46 of thesandal 40. When secured, the distance 71 between the first end 80 of thestrap 25 of the sandal 40 and the second end 81 of the strap 25 of thesandal 40 is substantially similar to a width of the sandal 72. Further,when secured to the sandal 40, the strap 25 may create an arch having agenerally consistent greatest height 90 over the sandal 40. The strap 25of the sandal 40 may further have a front edge 70.

An edge 100 may be located at the back 5 of the toe nail polish guard 1.The edge 100 of the toe nail polish guard 1 may be substantially similarin size and shape with the front edge 70 of the strap 25 of the sandal40.

The toe nail polish guard device 1 may be removable from the sandal 40.More specifically, the toe nail polish guard device 1 may be removablefrom the sandal 40 by, for example, a temporary securing device runningalong an outer perimeter 110 of the device 1 which correspondinglysecures to an outer perimeter 115 located on the top side 43 of thesandal 40. More specifically, a plurality of magnets 120 may be embeddedwithin the top side 43 of the sandal 40 running along the outerperimeter 115. Further, magnets 120 having opposite polarity may besecured within the outer perimeter 110 of the device 1. The plurality ofmagnets 120 in both the sandal 40 and the device 1 may be obscured fromview within the sandal 40 and the device 1 by, for example, being sewninto the same. Preferably, the same number of magnets 120 are locatedwithin the sandal 40 as are located within the removable device 1.Further, the magnets 120 in the sandal 40 substantially align with themagnets 120 in the device 1 while the device 1 is placed over the front43 of the sandal 40.

The magnets 120 of both the sandal 40 and the device 1, when alignedtogether, create enough force to secure the device 1 onto the sandal 40such that the device 1 will not inadvertently become dislodged from thesandal 40 during normal use. When the user desires to remove the device1 from the sandal 40, the user may exert enough force to overcome theinteraction of the magnets 120.

In use, a person may obtain a pedicure and/or may polish the toe nailswhile wearing the sandal 40. After the toes are finished, the user maysecure the device 1 over the front 43 of the sandal 40 without having tomove the foot from the sandal 40. The user may elect to wear the sandal40 with the device 1 secured onto the sandal 40 or may elect to wear thesandal 40 without the device 1, thereby allowing the toes to be freelyexposed to the elements.

A flap 140 may hang over the outer perimeter 110 of the device 1. Theflap 140 may be made from, for example, cloth, leather, plastic, rubberor the like. When the device 1 is secured onto the sandal 40, the flap140 may help cover the slight opening created between where the sandal40 and the device 1 meet. As a result, dirt or other debris may beprevented from finding its way into the interior of the sandal 40 duringuse.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the device 1 may be securedto the top 43 and front side 41 of the sandal 40 by, for example, notmagnets 120, but a hook and look fastener system 200, such as Velcro®.The magnets 120 and/or the hook and loop fastener system 200 may alsorun along the front edge 70 of the strap 25 and the edge 100 of thedevice 1 to further temporarily secure the device 1 to the sandal 40when in use.

Alternatively, the device 1 may be secured to the sandal 40 by, forexample, a series of three snap buttons 100. More specifically, threesnap button attachments 101 located on, for example, the bottom side 44of the device 1 may be removable secured to the top side 43 of thesandal 40. The snap buttons 100 of the device 1 may snap onto the sandal40 while in use and may be removed by applying substantially equal forcein the opposite direction.

During use, the user may insert his or her foot into the sandal 40. Morespecifically, the foot goes under the strap 25 and is secured to thesandal 40. The toes of the user are spread apart by the four dividers 50attached to the top side 43 of the sandal 40. When the device 1 isattached to the sandal 40, the toes and toe nails are protected fromobjects falling on them or from other objects which may come intocontact with the toes during everyday life.

The device 1 may be produced in a variety of colors and printed designs,including transparent so that the toe nails may be viewed while theguard is locked into place on the sandal 40. Further, the sandals 40 andcorresponding device 1 may be produced in a variety of sizes toaccommodate men and or women of different body sizes and ages. When notin use, the user may simply carry the device 1 in, for example, a purseafter the toe nails have dried.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in an embodiment, the device 1 may betear-shaped. More specifically, the first side 6 of the device 1 may belarger than the second side 7 of the device 1. As a result, the device 1may be tear-shaped. The first side 6, the thicker side, of the devicemay cover the large toe of the user while the second side 7, the smallerside, may cover the pinky toe with the device 1 progressively becomingnarrower from the first side 6 to the second side 7. The benefit of onlycovering the actual toe nail is that air may easily access the remaininguncovered portions of the toes and may allow for healthier feet andallow for quicker drying of nail polish. In the embodiment wherein thedevice 1 is tear-shaped, the back 5 of the device 1 does not connectdirectly with the strap 25 of the sandal. This embodiment is illustratedin FIG. 10.

Referring now to FIG. 8, in an embodiment, the dividers 50 may betear-shaped. More specifically, the dividers 50 may be tear-shaped suchthat the end closest to the front 41 of the sandal 40 is thicker thanthe end closest to the back 42 of the sandal 40. As a result, the properorientation and position of the toes with respect to each other isobtained while the sandal 40 is in use. More specifically, the toes maybe separated by the dividers 50 so that wet toe nail polish may properlydry and the toes are restricted from contacting each other. In anembodiment, the divider 50 a separating the large toe from the secondtoe may extend to become part of the strap 25 of the sandal 40. In thisembodiment, the divider 1 covers the portion of the strap 25 as well asthe toes and remaining dividers 50. FIG. 10 illustrates the tear-shapeddevice 1 secured to the sandal 40.

Finally, in an embodiment, the height 86 of the dividers 50 may be lessthan that of the height of the toes. As a result, air flow may becreated between the toes and the nail polish may dry in a quick andefficient manner. Further, having a lower height 86 of the dividers 50with respect to the toes may allow the toes to move and wiggle slightlyover the dividers 50, thereby allowing slight movement and added comfortfor the user.

When not in use on the sandal, the user may easily carry the device 1in, for example, until the next time the device is needed.

Although embodiments of the toe nail polish guard are shown anddescribed therein, it should be understood that various changes andmodifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the toe nail polish guardand without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore,intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

1) A removable guard for protecting toe nails in an article of footwearcomprising: a device having a top side, a bottom side, a front side, aback side, a first side, a second side and an interior and wherein theback side has an opening allowing access to the interior of the deviceand wherein the bottom side has an opening allowing access into theinterior of the device; and a securing device for removably securing thedevice to a front of an article of footwear wherein the device covers atleast a portion of the toes of the user while the device is secured ontothe article of footwear. 2) The removable guard for protecting toe nailsof claim 1 further comprising: a flap running along a perimeter of thebottom side of the device wherein the flap conceals an opening createdbetween the device and the article of footwear while the device is inuse on the article of footwear. 3) The removable guard for protectingtoe nails of claim 1 wherein the device is transparent thereby allowingthe toes to be visible while the device is secured onto the article offootwear. 4) The removable guard for protecting the toe nails of claim 1wherein the securing device is a plurality of magnets located entirelywithin a wall of the device and wherein the magnets correspondinglyaligns and mates with a plurality of magnets having opposite polaritylocated within the article of footwear. 5) The removable guard forprotecting the toe nails of claim 1 wherein the securing device is ahook and loop fastener system which runs along a perimeter of the deviceand mates with a corresponding hook and loop fastener strip located on afront side of the article of footwear. 6) The removable guard forprotecting the toe nails of claim 1 wherein the securing device is asnap button system which removable attaches buttons of the guard tobutton receiving means located on a front side of the article offootwear. 7) An article of footwear having a removable guard comprising:a removable guard for protecting toe nails wherein the guard has a topside, a bottom side, a front side, a back side, a first side, a secondside and an interior and wherein the back side of the guard has anopening allowing access to the interior of the device and wherein thebottom side of the device has an opening allowing access into theinterior of the device; a securing device for removably securing thedevice to a front of an article of footwear wherein the device covers atleast a portion of the toes of the user while the device is secured ontothe article of footwear; and a top surface of the article of footwearfor receiving a foot wherein the top surface has a plurality of dividersand wherein the plurality of dividers have a plurality of heights whichare attached to a top surface of the article of footwear and wherein thedividers separate toes of the user and wherein the heights of thedividers are greater than a plurality of heights of toes of a usertherein preventing the toes from contacting the interior surface of theremovable guard. 8) The article of footwear having a removable guard ofclaim 7 wherein one of the plurality of dividers of the article offootwear extends upward and forms a portion of a strap for securing atop side of a foot onto the article of footwear. 9) The article offootwear having a removable guard of claim 7 wherein the dividers aretear-shaped and wherein the dividers have a first end and a second endand wherein the first ends are oriented toward the front of the articleof footwear and wherein the second ends of the dividers are orientatedtoward a back of the article of footwear and wherein widths of thedividers are greater at the first ends than at the second ends of thedividers. 10) The article of footwear having a removable guard of claim7 wherein the removable guard has an interior surface and wherein aplurality of receiving means is located in the interior surface andwherein the receiving means receives the plurality of correspondingdividers of the article of footwear. 11) An article of footwear having aremovable guard comprising: a removable guard for protecting toe nailswherein the guard has a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a backside, a first side, a second side and an interior and wherein the backside of the guard has an opening allowing access to the interior of thedevice and wherein the bottom side of the device has an opening allowingaccess into the interior of the device; a securing device for removablysecuring the device to a front of an article of footwear wherein thedevice covers at least a portion of the toes of the user while thedevice is secured onto the article of footwear; and a top surface of thearticle of footwear for receiving a foot wherein the top surface has aplurality of dividers and wherein the plurality of dividers have aplurality of heights which are attached to a top surface of the articleof footwear and wherein the dividers separate toes of the user andwherein the heights of the dividers are less than a plurality of heightsof toes of a user therein allowing the toes to easily shift and pivotwith respect to each other within a space created by the dividers.